Liverpool are close to finalizing a major signing, as German star Florian Wirtz prepares to leave Bayer Leverkusen for the Premier League. The 22-year-old turned down a move to Bayern Munich and could finalize his £116 million switch to Anfield as soon as this week.
The Reds are acting swiftly in the transfer market following their 20th league title win under new boss Arne Slot. With Jeremie Frimpong already lined up to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez heavily linked, Liverpool are wasting no time reinforcing their squad.
While fans eagerly await confirmation of Wirtz’s arrival, speculation has already begun around the shirt number he’ll wear. He’s not expected to get his current No. 10, as that belongs to Alexis Mac Allister, who isn’t likely to leave the club. Instead, Wirtz may return to the number he wore when he first joined Leverkusen in 2020—27—a number currently available at Liverpool.
If he takes the No. 27 shirt, Wirtz would follow in the footsteps of players like Darwin Núñez and Divock Origi. Though only seven players have worn that number in Liverpool’s history, Origi stands out as the most successful, scoring crucial goals under Jürgen Klopp—including in the 2019 Champions League final. Núñez, meanwhile, had a less impressive first season in the role.
The No. 27 shirt was first assigned in the 1993/94 season but went unused on the pitch for years, with early holders like Mark Gayle and Stephen Pears never making an appearance. Gregory Vignal and Philipp Degen followed with limited impact, leaving Origi as the standout name associated with the number.
If Wirtz does end up wearing the 27, Liverpool fans will hope he can make it iconic once again
